November 2017

This presentation describes the development of a Gamma Non Destructive Assay (NDA) program including model development to assay complex concrete waste drums from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford site 618-10 Burial Ground to classify as TRU, Suspect TRU or LLW using Canberra’s In-Situ Object Counting System (ISOCS™) and Broad Energy Germanium (BEGE) detectors. 

The initial analyses using ISOCS™ Calibration Software Geometry Composer drum models based upon historical waste drum information were not accurate for all assays. This led to using Line Activity Consistency Evaluation (LACE) in a customized waste drum model selection process. The use of LACE for drum model selection was validated by a parallel Monte Carlo Nuclear Particle (MNCP) analysis drum model selection process.

The use of LACE to select the waste drum model and process improvements along with knowledge gained from analyzing 542 waste drum assays has streamlined analysis, reporting, peer review and approval of complex concrete drum assay reports.